Rochester Veterans’ Council news

Thursday

Dec 13, 2012 at 3:15 AM

By EARL ADAMS

Rochester Veterans’ Council president

ROCHESTER — Greetings, I want to apologize for not including Cider Berry, of Eastern Propane, in my last newsletter. He brought six 20-pound turkeys to Sons of the American Legion Squadron 7 member John Borgess, who then brought them to my house, and then on to Post 7. They will be distributed to vets in need. Thank you Eastern Propane. It is really nice to have local businesses helping us. Without them we wouldn’t be able to do as much for the vets. At the present time we have over 20 corporate sponsors.

Veterans, attention, I have another discount to tell you about. In 1998 my eye doctor, Dr. Sullivan, retired. As a result, I started going to Jordan Family Eye Care at the Lilac Mall. Tuesday. I went for my eye test and ordered a new pair of contact lenses. The doctor told me he gives veterans a 30 percent discount on glasses, and 10 percent on contacts. I like to keep everything local if possible.

Monday we went to have coffee with the vets at Colonial Hill. While I was there, Charmaine Coty, Andy’s wife, donated a new medical two-foot step-ladder for vets. If you have time, stop in and say hi to Andy. We miss him hustling pool at Post 7. During the coffee hour I met a lady who was one of the first women to join the Navy. I will be interviewing her, and will include her story in next week’s column.

Wednesday, we had coffee with the vets at Rochester Manor. They also bring home-made muffins from the kitchen, juice, as well as some store-bought items. Today the activities director gave me a list of the 14 vets at the Manor, and what they’d like for Christmas. They will be having their Christmas luncheon at the United Methodist Church. Post 7 is the sponsor for the Rochester Manor. Each organization sponsors a nursing home. Two years ago we bought them a 42” HD TV, Wi-fi, and a DVR for their recreation room. Metrocast gives us CDs of the events they do for us, and Lynda Healey and Jon Anderson also record and give us CDs of our events.

Friday, we had our Red Shirt Friday breakfast at the Pink Cadillac. After, we split up, and the girls went to Lincoln Street Terrace Nursing Home for coffee. Lynda Healey, however, as our American Legion Rider and photographer, went to City Hall to take pictures of our Pearl Harbor Ceremony. Lynda makes sure every vet she takes a picture of, receives a copy of their own. The ceremony included Rochester Veterans’ Council members, AMVET Post 1, the 394th Marine Detachment, and SAL 7 member Mr. Oliver playing Taps, with his wife playing Echo Taps. I was honored to place the wreath on the World War II Honor Roll with five WWII vets. After posting the colors, Officer of the Day Al Benton, 1st Vice Commander of Post 1, gave opening remarks, then Norm Sanborn, Post 7 RVC rep., read a proclamation from President Barack Obama declaring Dec. 7, 2012, National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. This was followed by a prayer led by AMVETS Commander Bob Baker, who was filling in for our RVC Chaplain Bob Crout-Hamel who is recovering from an operation. A rifle volley was fired by the 394th Marine Detachment, and the ceremony ended with Taps. After our Pearl Harbor service, some of us went to Frisbie to see Bob. He said he was being discharged on Saturday, and the visiting nurses would be checking up on him.

I would like to thank Blue Seal Feeds of Rochester for donating the wreaths which they have done since we started “Wreaths Across America”. I would also like to thank all those who gave donations at the Lilac Mall. These donations enabled us to place over 340 wreaths on Rochester veterans’ graves. These wreaths are made in Maine by Worster Wreath Company which donates approximately 5,000 wreaths to Arlington National Cemetery. They made over 250,000 “Wreaths Across America” this year. They will distribute them to over 800 locations in the United States. Oakhurst Dairy donates their trucks and drivers at no charge, as well as Fed Ex, UPS, and numerous trucking companies and their drivers.